ArkLaTex weather: sunny and dry Thursday, highs in the low to mid 80s, wildfire risk stays up

It's another sunny, dry day across the ArkLaTex. The National Weather Service in Shreveport has no watches, warnings or advisories in effect for its area this morning. That office forecasts for all five cities below, including Monroe.

The main concern: dry conditions

In its forecast discussion early Thursday, the weather service said the dry air and ongoing drought will keep an elevated wildfire threat across the region through much of the next seven days. The lack of strong winds should help slow any fires that do start. With no meaningful rain in the forecast, forecasters expect the drought to get worse through the end of the month. Be careful with anything outdoors that could throw a spark.

Today and tonight

Sunny everywhere today, with light winds. Rain chances are near zero.

• Shreveport: high 83, low tonight 53. Forecast
• Monroe: high 84, low 50. Forecast
• Longview: high 83, low 51. Forecast
• Texarkana: high 83, low 52. Forecast
• El Dorado: high 84, low 48. Forecast

Looking ahead

Friday looks almost the same: sunny, highs 83 to 85. The weather service expects a front to move through Tuesday into Tuesday night but doesn't expect significant storms with it because the air is so dry. Longer range guidance hints at a more active pattern closer to Halloween and early November.

Current alerts for the region are always listed by the National Weather Service.